EZCUSE

So I currently ride a hybrid but looking to move to a true road bike. I am fused in my lower back so being hunched over on a bike is one of the worst things I can do. The more upright, the better.

I’ve been reading about endurance frames and that seems the best way for me to go.

Any recommendations that I should check out? All in (for the entire bike-not just the frame) I want to be in the $3500-$5000 range and of course want all the bells and whistles I can possibly get.

Any and all options are much appreciated.

jadocs

I’m fused as well. Very painful at first, but I can tell you that my flexibility has improved significantly just from riding a lot.

illdrag0n

Can't really go wrong with the big ones. Specialized Roubaix, Trek Domane, Giant Defy, Cannondale Synapse - these all have large R&D investment into not only the frame geometry, but componentry also to make them as road comfortable as possible.

some of smaller brands such as Cube Attain, Focus Paralane, BMC Roadmachine etc also make good options but found them to be more of sport endurance than a comfort endurance.

Sapperc

Start by test riding any and all road bikes that are in your price range. None will fit as upright as your hybrid bike. You might not like the riding position.

Also, you actually do not want to ride “hunched” over. Decades ago that was considered good form and that’s how the pros and “serious” roadies cycled. Now good form is to keep your back straight or at least as straight as possible. You want to rotate and bend from your hips. The less flexible you are, the more you will need to rotate your hips. Saddle design and angle will assist with finding a good riding position.

Good luck!

MyTi

Well don’t fall for the whole r&d stuff a frame set isn’t going to make you go fast. The whole aero frame jargon for instance on a road bike is pretty hilarious considering most of that is negated by your body. We are probably talking about an older guy so I think any sportive frame will do. At 3500 to $5k budget there really isn’t anything out there that will be bad provided you fit the bike

WhyFi

What are you even talking about? Keep your shtick to your trolling threads. The subject at hand here is endurance bikes and some of the big players have put in a lot of development that translates in to real-world comfort that, in turn, means faster with less fatigue for many riders.

As has been mentioned, it's hard to go too far wrong with the endurance offerings of the major players. Of those, I'm partial to the Domane. Trek just released the 2020 version and it looks really interesting, even for someone that has a 2018 (me). The IsoSpeed works really, really well without being the least bit intrusive and the bike will accept some pretty wide tires (which translates in to lower pressures, which means more comfort and better speed over roads that are less than glass smooth).

Here's a video review to get started, but definitely visit a shop for some hands-on -